Trains from Koh Tao to Penang

You can travel by train from Koh Tao to Penang although first you need to travel by bus and ferry to Chumphon Railway Station to board a Thai train service to Padang Besar in Malaysia. From Padang Besar you then need to board a Malaysian train service to reach Penang.

Stage 1: Koh Tao to Chumphon Railway Station

We recommend taking a joint ferry and bus service from Koh Tao to Chumphon Railway Station.

• Buy tickets from Koh Tao to Chumphon Railway Station.

Stage 2: Chumphon to Padang Besar

There is currently 1 train service a day from Chumphon to Padang Besar in Malaysia.

• Buy train tickets from Chumphon to Padang Besar.

Please note departure times for trains from Chumphon to Padang Besar are in Thai time, and arrival times are in Malaysian time.

Stage 3: Padang Besar to Penang

The final part of the journey by train from Koh Tao to Penang is to take a train from Padang Besar to Butterworth Train Station, which is in Penang State and close to Penang Island.

• Tickets for KTM Komuter services from Padang Besar to Penang are only available on the day of travel from Padang Besar Railway Station.

Location of Mae Haad Pier in Koh Tao

Joint ferry and bus services from Koh Tao to Chumphon Railway Station depart from Mae Haad Pier.

Location of Chumphon Train Station

Read more about Chumphon Railway Station.

Location of Padang Besar Train Station

Read more about Padang Besar Train Station.

Location of Butterworth Train Station

Read more about Butterworth Railway Station.

About Train Travel from Koh Tao to Penang

By train the journey from Koh Tao to Penang is scheduled to take at least 19 hours 26 minutes, with just under half that time (9 hours 30 minutes) spent travelling on trains. On this route at least 10 hours are spent travelling from Koh Tao to Chumphon Railway Station and waiting for travel connections. The advantage of travelling by train from Koh Tao to Penang, however, is that you get 7 to 8 hours lying down in a sleeper berth during the train journey from Chumphon to Padang Besar.

Travel to Chumphon Train Station

The easiest way to travel from Koh Tao to Chumphon Train Station is to take a joint ferry and bus service. The reason that it’s the easiest option is because the various different ferry ports in Chumphon Province are from 15 to 27 km by road from Chumphon Train Station, all in locations far from a local bus station. If you don’t pre-book your bus connection from the ferry port to the train station you will need to take a taxi.

The fastest services, operated by the Lomprayah High Speed Ferry Company and Boonsiri High Speed Ferries, take only 2 hours 30 minutes to complete the journey from Koh Tao to Chumphon Train Station. The slowest service takes 9 hours, with passengers travelling overnight on the ‘night boat’.

The most popular services for train travellers are the 15:00 departures with Lomprayah High Speed Ferry Company and Boonsiri High Speed Ferries and these services generally need to be booked in advance for this reason.

Waiting Time at Chumphon Train Station

Chumphon Train Station is located right in the centre of Chumphon City and there are lots of places to eat and drink near the train station.

For authentic and inexpensive Southern Thai food try the large night food market at the northern end of the Krumluang Chumphon Road, which is about 2 minutes walking from the train station. For Western cuisine try the cafe at Fame Tours & Services on the Saladeng Road, which is only 400 metres walking distance from Chumphon Train Station.

Train from Chumphon to Padang Besar

The single daily train service from Chumphon to Padang Besar (Train #45) is a long distance train service originating in Bangkok. Train #45 is scheduled to arrive in Padang Besar at 08:05 Thai time, which is 09:05 in Malaysia.

• Train #45 from Chumphon to Padang Besar:
  • Journey Time: 8 hours 39 minutes
  • Seat Types:
    • 2nd Class A/C Sleeper

Train #45 is an all sleeper train. By the time the train arrives in Chumphon all the sleeper berths will be prepared with fresh sheets, a pillow, and blanket. Passengers joining the train in Chumphon can go straight to their sleeper berths as soon as they join the train.

Immigration Procedures for Train Travellers

Both Thai and Malaysian immigration checks take place once Train #45 has arrived in Padang Besar in Malaysia. After leaving the train in Padang Besar passengers need to make their way to the immigration centre on the ground floor of the train station before continuing their journey.

There are two immigrations desks in the train station, one for Thailand and another for Malaysia. Train travellers need to visit the Thai immigration desk first to complete exit procedures for Thailand before visiting the Malaysian immigration desk to complete immigration entry procedures for Malaysia.

Trains from Padang Besar to Penang

From Padang Besar travellers need to board a KTM Komuter service to reach Butterworth Train Station in Penang State. Butterworth Train Station is the closest train station to Penang Island, the capital of which is historic George Town. Penang’s Thai Consulate is located in George Town. Long distance trains from Padang Besar do not stop at Butterworth Train Station.

Tickets for KTM Komuter services cannot be booked in advance so passengers wishing to continue their journey from Padang Besar to Penang by train need to visit the ticket office on the 2nd level of the station before attempting to board a train.

• KTM Komuter services from Padang Besar to Penang:
  • Journey Time: 1 hour 51 minutes
  • Seat Types:
    • No allocated seating

Travel from Butterworth Train Station to Penang Island

From Butterworth Train Station to reach George Town in Penang Island travellers need to cross the 2.6 km wide sea channel separating Penang Island from the mainland. There are two ways to complete the journey by public transport:

• By commuter ferry
• By taxi via the Penang Bridge

The cheapest option is to take a commuter ferry. They depart from a ferry pier accessible via the 2nd level of Penang Sentral Bus Terminal, which is 550 metres walking distance from Butterworth Train Station. Ferries depart frequently from 06:30 to 23:00 and the one-way fare is RM2 for adults and RM1 for children. The sea crossing takes around 20 minutes arriving at Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal, which is in the centre of George Town within walking distance of Chulia Street.

The more expensive option is to take a taxi. Taxi fares are not fixed and local drivers do not use meters. Expect to pay from RM30 to RM45 for the journey from Butterworth Train Station to George Town. The journey by taxi typically takes around 30 minutes.

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